The seafood industry has shown support for the Government's announcement to contribute $2.8 million to the research of sea lion mortality. The New Zealand sea lion is the world’s rarest of sea lions and the species is classified as nationally critical. An estimated two-thirds of all sea lion pups are born at the Auckland Islands.
The seafood industry has acknowledged that whilst fishing is playing its part in mitigating mortalities, work is needed on other threats to the sea lions. Deepwater Group chief executive George Clement has stated that the industry is pleased to see the Government’s recognition of the number of threats to these endangered sea lions and that they will continue to support ongoing research and management necessary for sea lion conservation.
